Strange though it may be, this message spans both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. The one is a solemn recollection of our Lord’s betrayal, crucifixion and ignominious death. The other is a solemn celebration of the ultimate victory of God over death and the power of God shown forth in the face of the hostility of the world.

Can we connect the dots? Like the back of placemats found at some of our fine area restaurants, can we draw a line between point A and point B? Indeed we can. In this instance, Holy Week is the linkage that connects the dots. Holy Week is the passage by which we are brought from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to Easter. Holy Week is our invitation to walk with our Savior through the way of the Cross. We walk in the way of the Cross, so that we might be strengthened to bear our Crosses. By walking in the way of the Cross with Jesus, we are taught how to bear our crosses that we may find them, to borrow a phrase from the collect, “none other than the way of life and peace.”

I have great sorrow in my heart when I encounter those brave souls who occasionally admit, “I didn’t get much out of Easter this year.” I have great sorrow because they have missed a tremendous opportunity. What you are likely to get out of Easter is in direct proportion to the way in which you have prayed your way through Holy Week. Please note the Holy Week Schedule that’s featured in this newsletter.

Evidence of humans bearing crosses is abundant. If you doubt it, all you have to do is turn on the news any time of the day for about ten minutes. The reality of the Cross becomes abundantly clear. What Jesus shows us and gives us is hope. Because He bore His Cross, I dare to hope. Because the way of the Cross leads to the Resurrection, I dare to hope. and daring to hope, I am delivered from the chains of cynicism and despair.

Blessed Holy Week, Blessed Easter.

Fr. G+

Advertisements

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About canongreg

I have been Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wellsboro, PA since 1994.